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lnitst ftutrs 'iutrat @frn CLA nn D. PAGE, oFvr no C H-ns rs1-n., N nw Yo Letters Patent '.No. 68,896, dated .Sepiember T T, 1867.

Iurnoven BRICK-rases.

TO'ALL WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:

Be it known that I, CLARK-D. PAGE, 'of Rochester, in the county of Monroe, and State of New York, have invented certain .new and useful improvements in Brick-Presses; and I do hereby declare that the following is a -full and enact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, making partof this specification.

Figure 1 is a plan of my improved machine.

Figure 2, an elevation ofthe same.

Figure 3, a vertical section in line x fr, the circle of the section being represented in plane.

`Figures 4 and 5, detail views.

Like letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the figures.

My improvement belongs to that class of brick-presses having a horizontal revolving wheel, whose rim is filled with moulds, in which the clay is pressed from avpug-mill, the pressed brick being forced out-oi` the moulds by followers' running on a cam-way beneath.

The invention consists, first, in the combination with'an extended segment-hopper for receiving the clay, of a stationary rack and a. reciprocating stamp, whereby the clay is graduallylfed into the moulds, and receives an; initiatory pressure preparatory to passing under the pug-mill; second, in a horizontal passage, entending from the bottom of the pug-mill over the top ofthe moulds, for conveying a ribbon of clay to produce the final addition to the-clay in the moulds, when said passage is used in combination with a'finishingaoller; and, third, in so constructing the cam-way for the passage of the followers as that said followers will have un upward pressure under the pug-mill, to meet the opposing pressure-from above. 4

As represented in the drawings, A is the horizontal mould-wheel, driven by a pinion, 1', gearing with cogs 2 on the periphery of the wheel. In the rim of the wheel are situated the ordinary moulds a a a, ve. and in these moulds, from beneath, rest the ordinary followers b b b, Sie., whose friction-rollers run on the circular cam-way C. At a suitable position over the moulds.` is situated a pug-mill, D, with n. spi11ally-winged shaft, E, for forcing the clay downward. Thus far -the machine is the sume as others now in use.' On the-side of the pug-mill,

opposing the motion of the wheel, is situated a scgmentfhopper, G, concentric with the wheel, and resting'over the moulds. In the bottom of the hopper i's situated a rack, consisting of wedgingbars c c c, Sec., as c learly shown in figs. 1 and 3. In the opposite end of the hopper is situated a vertical stamp, H, provided with twoi or more feet d (Z, at such a distance apart :1s to strike into a. corresponding number of the moulds. This stamp receives a uniform reciprocating action with the movement of the wheel, so as to strike fairly in to thc moulds, by any desirable means, that represented in the drawings being a frictionwheel,f, on `its upper end, which receives motion by a cam-Wheel, g, and by a. spring, L, which producosl'he reaction. i

The operation of this portion' oi' the machine is as follows: The clay,`ha-ving` been previously ground and reduced, is dropped into the hopper and passes into the moulds. Were there nothing to prevent, the clay" would be carried around bodily on the wheel, and the moulds would be very imperfectly filled; This action-'is prevented bythe rack c c c, which catches and holds the clayv and concentrates `it downward by the wedging form, and the agitation produced breaks up any lumps that may exist, so that when the moulds have passed the rack they are filled fully with the pulverizcd material, and in condition to be pressed down. After passing the rack, lthe .moulds come under' the stamp, the feet d el of which strike into them as they pass beneath, and` remove the air bythe force of the concussion. When two feet are employed, as shown in the drawing, each mould receives two blows, the first giving a pressure sutlicicnt to thoroughly settle the material closely in the` mould, and the nextc'ompacting itinere closely.' Of course the increase in the number of feet gives a. corresponding increase in the number oi' blows, but two will generally be found suilicicnt. When the stamping has been accomplished, the moulds are in condition to pass under thc pugmill. This actiouof filling the moulds and stamping the material in them, preliminary to passing under the pug-mill, is of much importuncc.` -The clay is broken and pulverized, and equally pressed, so fur as thc-pressuregoes, which gives a brick of great equality in density when i'ully'completed, and there are no lumps to distigure and weaken `the surface. '.lhc additional great pressure of the pug-mill'renders the brick very solid. Where the material is pressed from the pug-mill directly into the open moulds, as in the old plan, the clay is lled with lumps, and the density of the brick is very uneven, owing to the great thickness of light material subjected at once to pressure. From tlie bottom of the pug-mill u thin passage, lf, is made, extending over the moulds, and into this passage aribbon or sheet of clay is constantly pressed from the pug-mill, and resting on top the pressed material in the moulds, adds so much additional. At the extremity of thc passage is a roller, K, resting in bearings Z Z, and pressed down by spring-followers m m, adjusted by e set-screw, az. This roller,` resting over themoulds, presses the thin ribbon .of clay firmly down, and gives the finishing pressure to the brick, whieh is complete after passing under the ordinary shaving-knife L. v v l v The pressure of the roller K on the ribbon of Clay produces u. hard and Adense surfuee tothe brick, which cannot be produced under the yielding pressure of the pug-mill. An adjustable scraper,p, is situated at the end of the hopper for the purpose of scraping the top of the wheel of the clay that sticks thereto. The cam-way C is so arranged that when the followers pass underthe hopper they commence to fall, as sho'wnat q, iig. 3, so as to allow the clay to enter the moulds. They gradually descend until they pass under the stamp H, when they remain level, ns at r. In passing under the pugrnill, they commence gradually to rise, as shown ats. [n passing under the passage k, the roller K, and the knife L, they also remain level, as shown at u. But

vafter .passing the knife, they gradually rise and throw the press-ed bricks out before they reach the hopper again. The upward pressure of the followers in passing under the pug-mill, as at s, gives a counter-action to the pressure down from the pug-mill, and produces a finished surface at the betteln, by giving the suine density as above, an effect that would not be produced were the great pressure to come only one way.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to sec-ure by Letters Patent, is

1. The combination with the hopper Gr of the rack e c c, and stamp H, for filling the moulds und giving the initial pressure, operating substantially in the manner and for the purpose specified.

2. The thin passage k, leading from the pug-mill, combined with the roller K, in the manner .and for the purpose herein set forth. I Y 3. Giving the followers an upward pressure under the pug-mill, as and for the purpose specified.

In witness whereof I have hereunto signed my name in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

C. D. PAGE.

Witnesses:

Ri F. Osooon, J. A. DAVIS. 

